Bollywood's secret love affairs

Amitabh-Rekha: Amitabh Bachchan's alleged romance with Rekha forms a part of Bollywood folklore. Their affair reportedly started on the sets of Do Anjane (1976). Amitabh Bachchan had already been married to Jaya Bhaduri for three years at the time. Rumour has it that Amitabh and Rekha used to meet at a bungalow belonging to one of Rekha's friends while shooting Alaap the next year. Their romance continued to bloom through the years and they did many movies such as Immaan Dharam (1977), Khoon Pasina (1977), Ganga Ki Saugandh (1978), Muqaddar Ka Sikander (1978), Mr Natwarlal (1979) and Suhaag (1979). By the time Ram Balram released (1979), the two were reported to have begun spending more and more time together off the sets. There were also reports that Jaya Bachchan had made it very clear to Rekha that she would never leave her husband. It was Yash Chopra's movie Silsila which was the turning point for the lovers. The movie mirrored the alleged real life love triangle between Amitabh, Rekha and Jaya. The affair came to an abrupt end after this movie and the two stars never worked with one another again.

Dilip Kumar-Madhubala: Dilip Kumar and Madhubala's fabled romance reportedly began during the filming of Tarana in 1951. Madhubala apparently sent her hairdresser to Dilip saab with a note written in Urdu with a red rose asking him to accept it if he loved her, which he did. Their clandestine affair continued through the Fifties. In fact, during the making of Mughal-e-Azam, Dilip Kumar was in the habit of dropping by to see Madhubala even when he was not required for the day's shooting. The romance was nipped in the bud by Madhubala's disapproving father Ataullah Khan who refused to let his daughter go to Bhopal to shoot for B R Chopra's Naya Daur (1956) opposite Dilip Kumar. B R Chopra sued Madhubala and replaced her with Vyjayanthimala. Madhubala, very much under the thumb of her autocratic father, appeared in court with Dilip Kumar and B R Chopra on the other side. And that was the end of that. He went on to marry actress Saira Banu, she, actor-singer Kishore Kumar.

Raj Kapoor-Nargis: The chemistry between Raj Kapoor and Nargis reportedly spilled over into real life as well. They co-starred in 16 films together including Aag (1948), Barsaat (1949), Awaara (1951), Shree 420 (1955), Chori Chori (1956) and Jaagte Raho (1956). However, Raj Kapoor was married to Krishna and Nargis was reportedly driven to contemplate suicide by his refusal to leave his wife and children. She finally fell in love with and married her Mother India co-star Sunil Dutt, after he saved her life from a fire on set. They remained happily married till her death in 1981.

Waheeda Rahman-Guru Dutt: The Waheeda Rahman-Guru Dutt connection has passed into Bollywood lore. They first worked together in the movie CID (1956) but it was in Pyaasa (1957) that Cupid reportedly struck. Their film Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959), the story of a filmmaker and his muse, is considered a close reflection of their real life romance. This story had the most tragic of endings. Guru Dutt committed suicide in 1964, and his wife, singer Geeta Dutt, drank herself to death 10 years later. Waheeda married actor-businessman Kamaljeet and had two children with him.

Meena Kumari-Dharmendra: Meena Kumari and Dharmendra allegedly had a brief but passionate affair. Meena Kumari mentored Dharmendra when he was struggling to make it big as an actor and she was already an established star. Their liaison began in 1964 when they began working together in the movies like Purnima, Chandan Ka Palna, Phool Aur Patthar and Kaajal. However, Dharmendra was already married to wife Prakash and reportedly ended the romance after making it big as a leading man. The troubled Meena Kumari took to the bottle which eventually claimed her life. Dharmendra converted to Islam to marry his Sholay co-star Hema Malini.

Sanjay Dutt-Madhuri Dixit: Sanjay Dutt and Madhuri Dixit's alleged romance blossomed after the death of his first wife Richa Sharma. The duo acted together in movies such as Thanedaar (1990), Saajan (1991) and Khalnayak (1993). However, Madhuri reportedly ended the relationship after Sanjay was arrested in the Mumbai blasts case in 1993. Madhuri married Dr Shriram Nene in 1999 and Sanjay Dutt has since been married twice – two model Rhea Pillai and now to Maanyata.

Mithun-Sridevi: Mithun Chakraborty apparently fell in love with Sridevi, his Jag Utha Insaan co-star, while he was still married to actress Yogita Bali. There was allegedly even a secret wedding that took place. A heartbroken Yogita is said to have tried to commit suicide and Sridevi, shocked to discover that Mithun was still married, ended the relationship. Yogita and Mithun are still married, Sridevi went on to marry producer Boney Kapoor.

Shatrughan Sinha-Reena Roy: Shatrughan Sinha and Reena Roy were a popular jodi in films like Kalicharan (1975) and were allegedly in a relationship off-screen as well. However, Shotgun was also involved with beauty queen and sometime-actress Poonam Chandiramani. Shotgun eventually chose Poonam, marrying her in 1980. Reena Roy went on to marry Pakistani cricketer Mohsin Khan.

Zeenat Aman-Sanjay Khan: The Sanjay Khan-Zeenat Aman love affair goes way back to 1980 when the married actor met the beautiful actress on the sets of the film Abdullah. The couple allegedly started living together but the relationship came to an abrupt and ugly end after Sanjay reportedly beat Zeenat up brutally at a party at his wife Zarine's behest. Zeenat's eye was permanently damaged. She married actor Mazhar Khan and Sanjay and Zarine are still married.

Tina Munim-Rajesh Khanna: Rajesh Khanna's affair with Tina Munim reportedly began after he and wife Dimple Kapadia separated. Tina allegedly moved into his house but eventually ended the romance after Rajesh Khanna refused to marry her, reportedly because he didn't think his daughters Twinkle and Rinke would like it.